Americans are increasingly flocking to Europe’s top destinations. Here are the alternative spots Europeans are choosing to visit instead.

If last summer's surge of American tourists to Europe's iconic summer spots – from the French Riviera to the Greek islands – felt like an overwhelming flood, the continent should brace for an even bigger wave this summer.

This summer, American visitors to Europe are expected to exceed last year’s figures by 55%, according to analysis from travel insurance provider Allianz Partners. You won't have to wait in long lines for Instagram-worthy gelato or squeeze into the Vatican to feel the strain of Europe’s summer crowds.

“I thought last year was packed, but this year is even busier. It’s unbelievable how crowded Europe is. Any popular city is fully booked,” said Tania Swasbrook, co-founder of luxury travel consultancy Vgari Lifestyle, in an email to Dinogo Travel.

Swasbrook advises clients looking to avoid the crowds to explore 'parallel countries'—destinations in Europe that offer similar experiences and charm but aren't as crowded with American tourists as the major hotspots.

You’ve always dreamed of exploring the beauty of Tuscany, but it’s fully booked and pricey. How about considering Slovenia instead? Or, if you love Split in Croatia, why not take a short trip west to discover Trogir?

Jack Ezon, the founder of EMBARK Beyond travel agency, suggests that clients looking to travel to Europe this summer think creatively and consider alternatives.

While the Mediterranean’s hotspots in Italy and France remain favorites, we’ve been urging clients to make 2023 the year they explore new destinations. Not only are these popular spots overpriced, but they’re also overcrowded with American tourists, losing that authentic Mediterranean charm and atmosphere.

Ezon recommended heading to the Italian island of Pantelleria and the exclusive Sikelia hotel to escape the 'White Lotus' crowds in Sicily. He also suggested Paros in Greece, which offers a unique charm that Mykonos simply can’t match.

“Paros remains largely under the radar for Americans but is a hotspot for the stylish European crowd, with upscale boutiques, trendy bars, and fantastic restaurants filled with locals,” Ezon shared in an email.

Dinogo Travel reached out to travel agents, experts, and locals across Europe to find hidden gems where you can escape the crowds in Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Croatia, and other popular European destinations for American tourists.

North Jutland, Denmark

Southern Europe sees heavy crowds in summer, with temperatures soaring to uncomfortable levels in places like Seville, where it recently surpassed 110˚ Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius). If you’ve never considered a beach getaway in Denmark, it might be time to rethink that idea.

Known as 'Cold Hawaii,' North Jutland, located just west of Aalborg on Denmark's northwest coast, offers a picturesque coastline lined with dunes. Here, fishing villages and surf culture blend seamlessly in charming coastal towns like Agger and Hanstholm.

“In the '90s, surfers from Denmark began settling in the area, bringing along entrepreneurs, artists, and top chefs who turned away from big cities in favor of the laid-back lifestyle found in traditional west coast fishing villages,” says Mads Østergaard from VisitDenmark. The region is even home to Michelin-starred restaurants like Tri and Villa Vest.

Thanks to new seasonal direct flights from Newark to Aalborg on SAS, reaching North Jutland from the United States has never been easier.

St. Moritz, Switzerland

Just under two hours by car from Italy’s bustling Lake Como, the chic Swiss mountain resort of St. Moritz in the Engadin Valley offers a serene alternative for a lakeside summer getaway.

“We adore St. Moritz in the summer. Badrutt’s Palace is like the Hotel du Cap of the mountains,” Ezon remarked, comparing the Swiss mountain town’s iconic luxury hotel to the legendary Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on the French Riviera.

“The glitterati typically flock to St. Moritz in the winter,” Ezon noted, but in summer, you can trade skiing in the Swiss Alps for kayaking, swimming, and windsurfing on the town's stunning emerald lake.

Other activities in the area – with mainly Europeans, rather than Americans, as your fellow adventurers – include white-water rafting, hiking, and mountain biking.

The Camargue, France

International travelers often flock to the Côte d'Azur's famous yacht-filled waters and star-studded towns like St. Tropez, Nice, and Cannes. However, southern France offers so much more than the usual hotspots.

Marianne Fabre-Lanvin, co-founder of the organic French wine brand Souleil Vin de Bonté, recommends the Camargue – a rugged region of expansive, deserted beaches where wild white horses roam – for a peaceful retreat just east of Montpellier. Accommodation options range from a traditional bull or horse farm stay called a manade, to a luxurious five-star farm experience at Le Mas de Peint.

“The Camargue remains uncrowded. The beaches here are incredibly long, so you can have the beach all to yourself, even during the peak summer months,” Fabre-Lanvin says, naming La Plage de l’Espiguette as her top choice. In summer, a sustainable beach club, L’Oyat Plage, pops up on the sand, attracting kitesurfing enthusiasts.

Alentejo, Portugal

When Arlindo Serrão seeks a peaceful retreat along the Portuguese coast, away from the tourist crowds of Lisbon and the more popular beach spots in the southern Algarve, he heads to a tranquil stretch of coastline in the Alentejo region.

“Alentejo is being called ‘Europe’s best-kept secret,’ but I’m not sure how much longer it will stay that way,” says Serrão, founder of Portugal Dive.

Alentejo boasts long, unspoiled beaches, exceptional wine, and fresh seafood, all without the overwhelming crowds found in the more famous beach destinations of the Algarve.

Just south of the Tróia Peninsula, the beach stretches nearly 28 miles, with the serene towns of Comporta and Melides offering “the ideal spots to unwind and escape daily life,” according to Serrão.

For a truly untouched experience, Sublime Comporta offers rooms, suites, and villas nestled among pine and cork trees, surrounded by towering wild dunes.

In addition to its stunning beaches, this region is renowned for being Portugal’s largest wine-producing area and for having the most extensive network of hiking trails in the country.

“For me, it’s a place of tranquility in a raw, untouched part of Portugal,” says Serrão.

Montenegro

Skip the crowded streets of Dubrovnik in Croatia and head to the quieter, less-explored gems of neighboring Montenegro instead.

“Montenegro may be less famous than Croatia, but it’s easily reachable and offers a breathtaking coastline, rugged mountains, and crystal-clear turquoise waters,” says Dolev Azaria, founder of Azaria Travel in New York City.

A short two-hour drive from Dubrovnik brings you to Kotor, Montenegro – a stunning coastal town nestled at the end of a fjord-like bay, surrounded by mountains with hidden coves and crystal-clear waters perfect for a swim.

The Bay of Kotor, or Boka Bay, stands out among the landscapes of southern Europe, according to Ezon.

“It evokes a mix of the majestic Norwegian fjords and the serene beauty of Lake Como, as travelers pass through ancient towns, medieval fortresses, old stone churches, and charming fishing villages – all protected by UNESCO,” he added.

Just outside Dubrovnik, the One&Only Portonovi resort opened in 2021 along Montenegro’s 180-mile stretch of the Adriatic, its design reminiscent of a historic Venetian palace.

Costa de la Luz, Spain

Spain’s Costa de la Luz offers a hidden gem for adventurous travelers who venture beyond the more crowded Mediterranean shores.

In the summer, Spaniards escape the intense heat of the cities and head to the coast, where nearly everyone seems to have a modest second home or apartment.

While Barcelona’s Mediterranean beaches and the Costa del Sol are packed with sunbathers, Manni Coe of TOMA & COE recommends heading to the breezier Atlantic coast for more space and tranquility.

The 75-mile stretch of southern coastline between Tarifa and the Guadiana River, near the Portuguese border, offers cooler temperatures, minimal development, and a peaceful retreat, according to Coe.

Must-see spots include the picturesque fishing village of El Rompido, the vibrant culinary scene in Cadiz, and the untamed beaches around Huelva (between Mazagón and Matalascañas), all of which attract kitesurfing enthusiasts.

Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy

Sicily’s laid-back Aeolian Islands offer a peaceful escape that rivals the more crowded Amalfi Coast and Capri.

The Aeolian Islands, a group of seven volcanic islands nestled in the crystal-clear Tyrrhenian Sea off Sicily’s north coast, attract fewer tourists than the likes of Positano or Capri, thanks to their relative seclusion.

According to Dario Ferrante of Absolute Sicilia, the Aeolian Islands defy the typical American notion of what an island should be. Visitors here come for adventurous vacations, like hiking the active Stromboli volcano with a guide, rather than lounging on white sandy beaches typical of the Caribbean.

While Ferrante favors Salina for its charm, he believes Filicudi and Alicudi offer the most secluded, rustic experiences – with Alicudi being particularly remote, as it has no cars, just donkeys for transporting luggage.

Ferrante also highlights the north side of Mount Etna as one of Sicily’s most scenic and undiscovered spots. Just 40 minutes from the bustling beaches of Taormina, which are overrun with 'White Lotus' fans this summer, it offers a peaceful escape.

He describes the region as an ideal destination for total relaxation, hiking, wellness retreats, and a haven for wine enthusiasts and food lovers alike.

Senja, Norway

Senja, Norway's second-largest island after Svalbard, remains far off the beaten path compared to the more famous Lofoten Islands. Located about five hours south by car, Senja sees far fewer summer visitors despite its size.

On Senja, dramatic mountains drop steeply into fjords, and the island's west coast is dotted with charming fishing villages like Mefjordvær. In summer, charter boats set out for halibut fishing, while the endless daylight stretches late into the night under the midnight sun.

At Hamn i Senja, you can rent cozy cabins by the waterfront, savor a traditional cod feast, or unwind in a sauna followed by a refreshing plunge into the frigid fjord waters.

Expedition sailor Andreas Heide, captain of the Barba sailboat, describes the imposing 'Senja wall' – a formidable range of mountains that can be seen from afar. 'There’s always swell coming in from the North Atlantic. It’s just a wild, raw place,' he says.

Zadar Archipelago, Croatia

The coastline and islands surrounding Zadar in Croatia offer a unique experience, far removed from the bustling crowds of southern hotspots like Split, Dubrovnik, and Hvar, says Alan Mandic from Croatian travel agency Secret Dalmatia.

The tranquil, car-free Adriatic islands of Silba and Olib, part of the Zadar Archipelago, boast beaches so stunning they resemble the Caribbean. Visitors can even stay in a lighthouse on the western tip of the larger Dugi Otok island.

‘These are the spots we head to when we want to escape the crowds,’ says Mandic. ‘You’re unlikely to see many Americans here.’

Pelion Peninsula, Greece

With its spectacular coastlines and mountainous terrain, Greece is a favorite summer vacation destination for locals, according to Andria Mitsakos, founder of the luxury lifestyle brand Anthologist.

While the iconic white-and-blue vistas of overrun islands like Santorini and Mykonos dominate the summer scene, Mitsakos prefers the less touristy Pelion Peninsula on Greece’s eastern Aegean coast for a quieter, more secluded escape.

This lush and verdant peninsula, bordered by the Pagasetic Gulf to the west, is home to charming coastal and mountain villages, where fresh seafood is always on the menu.

Though the peninsula boasts beaches along its entire coast, if you visit just two, Mylopotamos and Fakistra on the Aegean side are unmissable. These hidden coves offer crystal-clear waters gently lapping against dramatic cliffs, with turquoise hues gleaming under the sun.

Coastal Albania

While Albania’s coastline is still somewhat of a secret compared to its southern neighbor Greece or its western neighbor Italy, savvy travelers are beginning to uncover this Balkan treasure, though it won't stay under the radar for much longer.

“Croatians and other Europeans are starting to discover Albania’s coastline,” said Mandic from Secret Dalmatia. “It’s incredible—affordable, rich in history, hospitality, stunning nature, and breathtaking beaches.”

The Albanian Riviera offers several beautiful beaches, including Ksamil near the Greek border, and Himare and Dhermi further north. Here, you can savor delicious, budget-friendly seafood, including prawns, grilled octopus, and fresh fish straight from the Ionian Sea, all while enjoying the stunning views over the sparkling waters.